1923 Wings for St. Louis
DESCRIPTION
This is a rare broadside poster of historical significance promoting the inaugural efforts of the St. Louis Aeronautical Corporation to host the International Air Races on October 1–3, 1923.
The photograph shows five men; A. B. Lambert, A. B. Birge, W. Frank Carter, Col. A. T. Perkins, and Carl F. G. Meyer, breaking ground for the St. Louis Municipal Airport, later known as Lambert Field. The image captures the symbolic start of an important chapter in St. Louis aviation history, underscoring the city’s commitment to becoming a major center for aeronautics.
Below the photograph, the poster lists the corporation’s officers, board of directors, finance committee, and members of related organizations such as the St. Louis Air Board and the Flying Club of St. Louis. These names represent a cross-section of the city’s business and civic leadership, including prominent figures such as Joseph Pulitzer, Harold Bixby, and Carl G. Meyer, many of whom played significant roles in promoting aviation and financing early air ventures. The inclusion of these names also reflects the widespread community support for the airport project and for positioning St. Louis as a hub of innovation in flight.
The International Air Races of 1923 were part of a broader movement in the early 20th century to popularize aviation and showcase advancements in aircraft technology following World War I. Hosting the races brought international attention to St. Louis and solidified Lambert Field’s role in the growth of commercial and competitive aviation in the United States.
This poster is significant not only as a piece of promotional ephemera but also as a tangible link to the city’s emergence as an aviation center—an evolution that would later connect directly to Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis. It stands as both a celebration of civic ambition and a reminder of the pivotal role local leadership played in shaping the trajectory of American air travel.
Inventory #92322
CONDITION
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622